How Emeritus Global Women ERG is Charting a Path Towards Inclusion, Growth, and Excellence for Women

How Emeritus Global Women ERG is Charting a Path Towards Inclusion, Growth, and Excellence for Women | Learning with Emeritus | Emeritus

Throughout my life, I have witnessed and experienced the disparities in opportunities available to women and underrepresented minorities. Coming from humble beginnings as a child of immigrants, I understood early on that education was key to achieving my aspirations. However, I also recognized the challenges women faced in the workforce – from lack of recognition to limited opportunities for advancement. This personal experience ignited a passion to prove my worth and help pave the way for others facing similar obstacles.

Global Women’s ERG at Emeritus

In April 2022, I took the initiative to launch the Global Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Emeritus. The goal was to create a supportive online community where all the talented women at Emeritus could feel validated, elevated, and celebrated. This initiative quickly gained momentum, leading to the establishment of the 4 Pillars of Success: Professional Development, Storytelling through the “I AM” speaker series, Health & Wellness, and Social Impact. Additionally, we hosted an inspiring panel on Allyship celebrating our wonderful allies and stories of impact and introduced the Women ERG newsletter and Teams Channel as a platform for employees to share their voices, stories, and passions.

In January 2024, we expanded our efforts with the Path to Purpose leadership series offered to all employees org wide, emphasizing aligning values with purpose in both work and life. This ongoing evolution has been a remarkable journey of learning and growth, made possible by the dedication of our Women’s ERG committee members : Elaine Sequeira , Sakshi Fotedar, Alisha Siders , Pooja Sharma, Liza Wolf, Traci Kaplan and the unwavering support of our CHRO Ganesh S and CLO and Executive Sponsor, Ashley Chiampo.

I am incredibly thankful to work for a company that values and champions women, providing us with the allyship needed to thrive and succeed in our endeavors.

Emeritus’ Global Women ERG: Advancing Women and Underrepresented Minorities

Professional Development

The Global Women’s ERG at Emeritus prioritizes the advancement of women through targeted professional development initiatives. By providing access to skill-building workshops, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, we empower women to excel in their careers and reach their full potential.

Storytelling – The “I AM” speaker series

Our ERG believes in the power of storytelling to inspire and connect women within the organization. Through the “I AM” speaker series, women can share their experiences, challenges, and achievements, fostering a sense of community and solidarity.

Health and Wellness

Recognizing the importance of holistic well-being, our ERG in partnership with HR emphasizes the significance of physical and mental health among women employees. From wellness workshops to mindfulness sessions, we strive to create a supportive environment prioritizing self-care and work-life balance.

Social Impact

At Emeritus, we believe in using our platform to drive meaningful change and support causes that matter. The Women’s ERG members actively engage in socially impactful initiatives through community service projects, fundraising efforts, or advocacy programs, focusing on making a positive difference in society.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

As the Global Head of Women of Emeritus ERG, I am humbled by our members’ and allies’ incredible support and dedication, along with our founders, Ashwin Damera and Chaitanya Kalipatnapu, who inspire us to dream big and be our authentic selves. Together, we are creating a more inclusive and empowering environment for all women at Emeritus. I invite you to join us on this growth, learning, and empowerment journey as we continue to uplift and celebrate each other’s successes.

About the Author


Global Head Women ERG and Head of Professional Services and Enterprise Partnerships Americas
Maria Minniti has over 20 years of expertise in executive education garnered from esteemed institutions like Wharton and Harvard, alongside significant leadership roles in global management consulting firms. Renowned for her contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Maria has actively participated on the DEI leadership board at Wharton and launched the Global Women ERG and DEI Committee at Emeritus. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, emotional well-being in the workplace, and, most importantly, advancing women and under-represented minorities. She does all this while whipping up meatballs that are to die for!
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